Pantser or Plotter?

NALit, Teen Reads, Teen Writing, YA book clubs, YA Writing, YALit

I’m twenty pages into my new novel. My main character looks over her shoulder and          expects me to follow!

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Can you tell I’m a pantser—someone who writes by the seat of her pants, dives right into the story? In contrast, a plotter carefully plans the plot in detail before they sit down to write.

 

At least, I start out as a pantser, but I’ve learned to consider plot before I wander very far into my story. Main plot, subplots, what the protagonist most desires and what will get in her/his way to obtain that. Those are important things to look at carefully.

The smallest idea can fuel your writing. Do you start with a character, a physical setting, a conflict, or a mystery? Small or big, anything that gets you writing is a good thing!

Happy reading and writing,

Lucinda

 

 

YA, NA, Whatever!

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Several award-winning novels are categorized as adult books yet have young protagonists or main characters. You might want to challenge yourself and try one of the following books.

Eleven-year-old Reuben Land was born with no air in his lungs. When his father picked him up and commanded him to breathe, Reuben’s lungs filled. Reuben has seen other strange occurrences connected to his father and believes his father is tied to the miracles. But why doesn’t his father heal Reuben from his severe asthma?

One night two kids break into their house to retaliate against his father and Reuben’s brother, Davy, shoots and kills both trespassers. Davy runs away the day of his trial forcing Reuben and his father on a long journey to find him.

 

You may have seen the movie, but remember the book is always better!                                       Fourteen-year-old Lily Owens runs away from her mean father and sets off on a journey to find out about her mother, who died when Lily was four. With only the name of a town from a honey label that was left with her mother’s things, Lily finds three eccentric black sisters who are beekeepers. Slowly Lily uncovers the mystery behind her mother’s death.

Drop me a line if you enjoyed either of these books. I’d love to hear from you!

2616 A.D.

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Barrier Canyon Pictographs in Thompson Canyon, Utah

A Perfect World

Jadeite lives in a future society where everything is controlled. Under the artificial covering, even weather is tamed. In United Society, the color of the sky changes depending on the effect it produces in its citizens. Imagine a red sky in varying hues but not a hint of blue! Jadeite’s only anxiety is how to act around the cute boy on the air shuttle but when she discovers her father’s secret life, her perfect world comes crashing down upon her.

(The petroglyphs in the picture remind me of the story’s warrior droids!)

Coming soon from Ink Spell publishing.